Besten Freund Andrew - Wie Geht's?
Yes, I understand that it is difficult to be an Orthodox Christian in Germany - the land of Luther but also Johann Eck. Not too long along I visited this Church in Leipzig:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5d/Leipzig_Russische_Gedaechtniskirche.jpg
You mention *Caritas* - Yes, that is most noble but don't kid yourself - the Roman Catholic Church will act upon the Great Commision given by the Triune God: *Go ye therefore out and make disciples Panta-Ethne* - In the Caritas work of the Roman Catholic Church they will actively seek out to win converts.
Mother Teresa, whose ministry here on earth was very Christ-like won people over to Christ by the way she showed her Love, and by her physical actions manifested Christian Love in action amongst the absolute poor in India - amongst the Hindus - a totally different Faith system. What a wonderful testimony she presented to the World.
Aha, you have not converted to Orthodoxy, yet you have read much from those who live and work as Orthodox - I shall fervently say more prayers for you that you'll be snatched up and brought into the Bosom of Our Triune God.
I share with you a thought by Father Lev Gillet, a convert to Orthodoxy, from the Western Church:
*O strange Orthodox Church, so poor and so weak...maintained as if by a miracle through so many vicissitudes and struggles; Church of contrasts, so traditional and yet at the same time so free, so archaic and yet so alive, so ritualistic and yet so personally mystical; Church where the Evangelical pearl of great price is preciously safeguarded - yet often beneath a layer of dust...Church which has so frequently proved incapable of action - yet which knows, as does no other, how to sing the joy of Pascha!*
Elder Nektary of Optina says: *Orthodoxy cannot be spoken about, It must be lived*
People ask me about the Divine Liturgy in the Orthodox Church - I then am at a loss for words - I warmly invite them to *experience* a service, such as a Vespers, Akathist, Moleben, or a Pannikhida - These are prayer services.
Blessed Andrew, as a former salaried organist and as a paid professional singer/choir member in the Lutheran Church I struggled with the thought that I would not play the organ or any other instrument in Church if I converted to the Orthodox Church. As a musician I have gained so much more treasure having joined the Orthodox Church.
I am still able to fully experience the message from the Fifth Evangelist whom we know as JSBach. The choir is the organ and I do not experience a loss if there is only choir music in Church. JSBach and Sergei Rachmaninoff are my guiding lights in my musical life - both of them are Christians and for me, represent the best that God has yet given to man as a Gift.
The fruits of their labors as composers is a Gift that will keep on giving to all generations, now and in the future. Their names will be fondly and warmly remembered in history unto the ages of ages.
Humbly and Respectfully yours,
CD :tiphat::tiphat::tiphat: